A Self-Inflicted Wound

Have you ever slammed a 30-pound pipe onto the top of your head with all your might? I have. In fact, nearly everyone I know who has built a barbed wire fence has done this at least once. Let me explain to you how to avoid this excruciating experience -- the lesson applies equally to transitioning into a new job.

The first step in building the fence is to drive a metal T-post (usually about 7 feet tall) into the ground with a heavy steel pounder. Once the post has been driven down to shoulder level, the tool works beautifully -- you can put your full strength into every strike. But at the beginning, when the post is still high above your head, you have to carefully tap the T-post into the ground until it’s low enough to drive it with all your power.

The problem occurs when you get impatient and slam down hard too early. Then the pounder slips off the T-post and comes crashing down on the top of our head, and the pain is almost unbearable. My dad (above) did this a few days ago. He’s fine now. The video below shows me demonstrating how to avoid this dangerous and embarrassing mistake.

I often see leaders make the same mistake when taking on new roles, especially stretch assignments higher in the organization. Instead of first learning the business, building key relationships, and “tapping in” a few quick wins, they rush to prove themselves with bold action.  They sometimes take wild swings before they’re ready – while still “out of their depth.” The result of this overreach is a self-inflicted wound that is painful to watch -- hurting themselves, their teams, and the company.

By all means, drive your ideas hard, but only after earning the credibility to sink them deep into the organization.